Devotees throng Makhdoom sahib shrine on Urs

The Urs of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA), popularly known as Makhdoom Sahib was celebrated with religious fervour at his shrine in Makhdoom Sahib here on Wednesday.
Thousands of devotees including men, women and children from different parts of the Valley thronged the shrine and held night long prayers despite sub-zero temperature.
Congregational prayers were offered by several thousand people, who converged from different parts of the Valley to the famous shrine and held special prayers for the peace and prosperity of the region.
The holy relics of the revered saint were displayed after every prayer during the day and devotees were seen waiting eagerly after payers to have a glimpse of the holy relics.
Scores of Kashmiri Pandits were also seen visiting the shrine throughout the day. “I came here all the way from Jammu to pay my obeisance here. My mother used to take me here during the old days,” said 32 year old Hadiy Nath.
Apart from religious places the area has its historical importance as the first fortifications on the site were constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1590. He built an outer wall for the fort, and planned a new capital called Nager Nagor to be built within the wall. In 1808 under the reign of Shuja Shah Durrani, the present fort was built.
While paying rich tribute on the special occasion, devotees said the shrine of Makhdoom Sahib had been a source of inspiration and spiritual guidance for all the devotees visiting the shrine.
Meanwhile, dozens of makeshift stalls were erected on both the sides of lanes leading to the revered shrine selling different types of sweets, confectionery items and other eatables apart from traditional and other goods.
The area has the famous Sharika Devi Temple on the western slope, on the Southern slope houses the Zirayat of Akhund Mullah Shah and on the southern side of the outer wall there is a Gurudwara.